Government passing buck on speed cameras says Rochdale MP

Date article online: 31/01/2007

The Government announced today that it is ending its programme of 'ring fenced' funding for speed cameras from 1 April this year and that this money is to be integrated into broader road safety funding. This means that local authorities like Rochdale, as part of speed camera partnerships, will be given greater freedom to introduce the measures they feel are most appropriate to their area.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Spokesperson and Rochdale MP Paul Rowen, said: "Though speed cameras have a crucial role to play, an over reliance on them at the expense of traffic police will not improve road safety, and in some areas are simply not appropriate.  I do however welcome the extra freedom it gives Councils to suggest areas that will benefit from them and give us more control.  For example, the speed cameras on Manchester Road have been removed without consultation; I welcome more control of these decisions and also I’ve received requests for them on Whitworth Road, which I will now be progressing.  I will certainly be liaising with our Council and Police in Rochdale on this, this greater freedom must be used responsibility. 

"Numbers of road traffic police have been falling, by more than half in some areas. Traffic police cannot be replaced with speed cameras or other automated systems and it is right that local areas are able to choose to direct funding to measures other than speed cameras if they think that is most appropriate. Speed cameras have, however, been proven to reduce casualties. This decision must not simply turn out to be a case of taking out the political sting for Ministers by passing the buck on decisions relating to speed cameras down to local councils who may be less well equipped to make accurate assessments of the safety benefits."